Buffing wheel



E, E. MURRAY BUFF'ING WHEEL Dec. 13, 1938.

Original Filed March 17, 1954 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Dec. 13, 1938. E, E, MURRAY 2,140,208

BUFFING WHEEL Original Filed March 17, 1934 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 gmc/Wto frnes 5. Nar/ay www Patented Dec. 13, 1938.

UNITED I STATES PATENT OFFICE BUFFING WHEEL City, N. Y.

Application March 17,

1934, Serial No. 716,060

Renewed February 3, 1936 23 Claims.

This invention relates to improvements in buffing Wheel construction and has as its primary object to provide an inexpensive, durable structure possessing improved finishing and/or cutting properties over the prior art.

Heretofore, it has been the practice in bulhng Wheel fabrication to build up the wheel from laminated discs or sections of fabric and/or brous material such as paper stock. These discs 1c or sections have, for the most part, been so arranged that, at least during the operation of the buhng Wheei, the warp and weft of the fabric or the nbre of the paper would all lie substantially in the plane of rotation. Because of their density and heat-retaining properties, bung wheels of the aforesaid type cannot be adequately ventilated and will 'run het and readily disintegrate under constant use. Beside the fibres becoming overheated and losing their tensil strength, this u type of buff readily unravels at the four points where the bres are tangent to the periphery.

rhe buimg wheel is primarily a vehicle for carrying the finishing and/or cutting composition which has to be replenished from time to time. To decrease the rate of wear of the bufing wheel and increase the rate of finishing and/or cutting it is important to keep the wheel impregnated with composition. It is well known to those versed in the art that the conventional bung wheel will attain a temperature of approximately G F. and upward to the point of ignition. Also, the melting point of the composition used will range between 120 to 135 F. In the case of the present invention the temperature of the buing Wheel will range from 100 to 110 F. and although the composition, will melt at the point of Contact with the work, because of the low temperature of the wheel, it will cool after passing this point to retain the greater portion of the composition. This is obviously not the situation with the conventional buing wheel in which the temperature of the same is higher than the melting point of the composition.

According to the present invention, it has been discovered that if in the fabrication of the section of the buidng wheel the fabric and/or fibrous material going to make up the body is arranged in a series of radially extending folds or reverse bends presenting the greater part of the material axially of the plane' of rotation,i1n proved characteristics result. It has been found that the amount of material in the body of the buff may be materially reduced over standard practice. This is of considerable importance, especially in buffs fabricated entirely of high grade bias cotton sheeting. Furthermore, the rate of nishing and/or cutting of bulfs constructed in accordance with the invention is greater than in the case of bus fabricated from the same material along conventional lines. Also, because 'of the lesser density and the presence of radially extending passages defined by the folds or reverse bends, the buff lends itself more readily to ventilation by the circulation of air drawn il c the interior of the bun and directed radially outwardi Another object of the invention resides in the provision of a bung wheel which is ventilated during operation by an air stream drawn inward and directed radially outward between the sections of the wheel and/or along the material making up the body of the wheel.

Another Objectis to supply a sectional ventilated buiflng wheel which may be conventionally built up to any desired width or tread, the section of the wheel being centered and supported upon a spindle or mandrel or equivalent structure 'oy improved discs permitting an air flow into the interior of the wheel and directed radially outward.

A further object resides in the manner of fabrieating continuous strips of material of laminated structure or otherwise permitting the convenient coiling of the same about an inner diameter to make up a section of the buing wheel having one or more convolutions.

There are other objects residing in the constructure and arrangement' and combination of the various elements which will be more fully set forth in the following specifications. The invention is clearly defined in the appended claims.

In the drawings Fig. 1 is a side elevation of the'buing wheel mounted upon a spindle partially shown in broken section,

Fig. 2 is a perspective View of one of the sections making up the buimg wheel shown in Fig. l with the supporting and centering disc removed.

Fig. 3 is a side elevation of the improved supporting and centering disc for the buing wheel section,

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary perspective View of the disc and buing wheel section in the assembled state,

Fig. 5 is a View of the formation of the sections of the buing wheel, and

Figs. 6 to 9, inclusive, represent certain modii'lcations of sections of the bufiing wheel.

Having specic reference to the drawings, in Fig. 1 is shown a buing wheel i!! supported to rotate as a unit with the spindle II. As illustrated, the buiilng Wheel is built up from a plurality of individual sections I2 which are mounted upon a reduced portion I3 of the spindle II and held in rm assembly by enlarged washers or discs I4 engaging the sections I2 at their periphery as at I5. The end of the spindle may be threaded to receive a nut I6, which is tightened to draw the clamp through sections I2 between the' washers I4.

The section I2 of the buiing wheel comprises an annular buing surface I 1, the fabrication and characteristics of which are to be hereinafter described, a metal binding ring I8, and a centering and supporting disc I9. The binding ring I8, may be identical with that included in U. S. Patent No. 1,922,108 and binds the inner edge of the annular buiiing surface. As shown', the ring I8 is provided with sharpened projections 20 which are staggered upon opposite sides and bent inwardly and clamped by dies upon the inner edge. Preferably, certain of the projections 20 or localities of the binding ring I8 are coined or otherwise fabricated as at 2| to provide radially intending passages for the circulation of air through the bufling wheel. 'Ihe centering and supporting disc I9 is preferably of pressed sheet metal having a flanged central aperture 22 for receiving the spindle II and radial stiifening ribs 23. As more clearly shown in Figs. 1 to 4, the disc I9 is provided with an off-set flange 24 and right angle circular flange 25 of a diameter enabling the disc I9 to be snugly fixed within the binding ring I8. The off-set flange 24 acts as a spacer between the sections I2 and is serrated as at 26 to provide radial passages in communication with the radial passages defined at 2| by the coined projections 20.

'To enable a flow of air into the interior of the buiing wheel, the washers Il are perforated as at 21 while the discs I9 are perforated as at 28. During the operation of the bufllng wheel, air will be drawn in through the perforated washers Il and discs I9 and expelled outwardly by centrifugal r,force through the aforesaid radial passages between the bufng surfaces I 'I to ventilate and cool the same. The forcing of the work into the buing wheel during use also eifects a pumping action tending to provide a radial flow of air through the buflng wheel. It is to be noted that although the sections 2 are rigidly clamped between the washers I4 as. at |15, the serration of the flange 25 and the coining of certain of the projections 2D as at 2| prevents any restriction to the radial ow of air through the'bufng Wheel.

The foregoing described structure provides a buiiing wheel whichtmay be conveniently built up in sections to any dsired width. 'I'he inner diameter of the builingA surface of each section may be held to dimensions giving maximum economy of construction through the improved supporting and centering disc I9. Also, as will be readily understood, the disc I9 can be used with bui'ing surfaces of varying outside diameter and re-used with replacement buiiing surfaces. Moreover the bufling wheel is adequately ventilated to cool the same below a temperature range at which the same is detrimentally affected and which is higher than the melting point ofthe conventional bufing composition. Y

Although the structure heretofore described is not limited to any particular buiing surface structure, the several modifications to be hereinafter described are particularly adapted to be used in combination therewith. Referring to Figs. 2 and 6, the buffing surface |'I of each section is fabricated from a longitudinal strip of fabric 2l, preferably cut upon the bias. As shown in Fig. 6 the fabric may be of more than one ply to give the required body. The fabric throughout the entire extent is provided with transversely disposed folds or return bends to locate the major portion thereof axially of the wheel instead of in the plane of rotation as is the case in buiiing wheels in use at the present time. In other words, a broad side cutting and polishing action results from the arrangement shown in'Figs. 2 and 6 in lieu of the line cutting and polishing of the conventional buiiing wheel with the major portions of the body of the buiiing surface located in the plane of rotation. 'Ihe inner edge of the folded fabric, after being formed into an annulus, is bound by the binding ring I8 or other suitable means. As will be clear from Figs. 2 and 4 the fabricaton of the bulng surface in the manner just described provides prominent radial passageways 28 facilitating cooling and ventilation of the wheel.

In the modification shown in Fig. 7, the bufiing surface is fabricated in the manner heretofore described from a laminated structure of fabric 29, preferably bias cotton sheeting, and paper 30 of suitable body. In Fig. 8 is shown a further modication in which only paper 3| is employed to build up the buiing surface in the manner heretofore described. The weight and grade of the paper 30 and 3| employed will obviously depend upon the characteristics of the builng wheel desired; generally a good grade of kraft paper, smooth or crinkle finish will fulfill the usual requirements.

In Fig. 9 is shown a buflng surface of a section of the wheel in which a plurality of fabric or brous strips 32 are arranged in juxtaposition. One convenient way to fabricate this modification is shown in Fig. 5 in which a strip of bias cotton sheeting, or other suitable material, is transversely folded to provide reversed bends 24, and is then spirally wound with the correct diameter to juxtapose two or more convolutions of the strip. If desired, that portion of the folded strip constituting the inner edge of the annulus may be stitched, glued or otherwise secured along the dotted line representation designated at 35. When the section has been built up to the desired thickness, the inner edge of the annulus may be bound by the employment of a binding ring I8 or other suitable means.

An annular builng wheel section fabricated in the heretofore described manner with the vmajor portion of the material going to make up the section extending axially of the plane of rotation has been foundto have improvedcutting and finishing characteristics. Moreover, adequate body in the bufling wheel section may be built up with a substantial saving in the amount of material used over prior practices.

Having described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to protect by Letters Patent is:

1. A buing wheel comprising a plurality of annular builing sections of flexible material having the inner edges thereof reinforced by metallic binding rings, a rotatable spindle, discs located upon said spindle having peripheral flanges over which said rings are removably received for centering and supporting said sections, and means for clamping said section and disc upon said spindle for .rotation therewith as a unit.

2.` A buiiing Wheel comprising a plurality of annular buing sections of flexible material having the inner edges thereof reinforced by metallic binding rings. a rotatable spindle, perforated discs located upon said spindle upon which said sections are centered and supported, means associated with said discs for spacing said sections to provide radial air passages, means for clamping said sections and discs upon said spindle for rotation therewith as a unit, said means having air passages therethrough communicating with the inner ends of said radial passages.

3. A sectional ventilated bufiing wheel comprising a plurality of annular buillng sections of ilexible material having the inner edges thereof reinforced, a spindle, perforated discs located upon said spindle upon which said sections are centered and supported, means associated with said discs for spacing said sections to provide radial air passages therebetween, and means for clamping said sections and discs upon said spindle as a unit, said means having air passages therethrough communicating with the inner ends of said radial passages.

4. A sectional ventilated builing wheel comprising a plurality of annular bufling sections of ilexible material, means for reinforcing the inner edges of said sections providing radial passages, a spindle, perforated discs located upon said spindle, a laterally offset continuous flange on. each of said discs upon 'which said sections are centered and supported, means associated with said discs for spacing said sections to provide radial air passages communicating with said first passages, and means for clamping said sections and discs upon said spindle as a unit, said means having air passages therethrough communicating with the inner ends of said radial passages.

5. A sectional ventilated buing wheel comprising a plurality of annular builing sections of flexible material, centering and supporting discs having peripheral flanges on which the inner edges of said sections are received and supported, means associated with said discs for providing radial air passages between adjacent sections and means defining passages to admit air into the interior of the wheel to pass outwardly through said passages.

6. A sectional buffing wheel comprising a plurality of annular bufdng sections of exible materia] arranged side by side, a spindle, a metallic disc constituting a removable core associated with each of said sections for centering and supporting the sainev upon said spindle, each disc having a peripheral flanged portion extending radially and between adjacent bufling sections to space the same, the,` conguration of said flanges and adjacent sections dening radial air passages between said sections, means for clamping said sections and discs together as a unit upon said spindie, the clamping action of said means `being eective at the inner periphery of said sections and through said anged portions and means providing ingress of air into the interior of said Wheel.

'7. In a, sectional ventilated 'oung wheel a plurality of annular bumng sections of exible material arranged side by side, a metallic disc constituting a removable core associated with.

each of said sections, and a serrated iiange associated with each disc spacing adjacent sections to provide radial air passages.

8. In a sectional ventilated bumng wheel, a plurality of annular buiiing sections of flexible material arranged side by side, a relatively rigid disc constituting a removable core associated with each of said sections, said discs being of less thickness than said sections, thus dening a plurality oi spaces, means associated with each disc for spacing the adjacent sections of said wheel, the configuration of said means and each adjacent section dening radial air passages communicaing with said spaces.

9. In a sectional ventilated bufling wheel, a plurality of annular bufling sections of flexible compressible material arranged side by side, relatively rigid means reinforcing the inner periphery of said sections, a relatively rigid disc constituting a corp associated with each of said sections, said discs being of less thickness than said sections, thus denning a plurality of spaces, means associated with each disc'for spacing the adjacent sections of said wheel, the configuration of said last means and sad reinforcing means defining radial air passages between said sections communicating with said spaces.

10. In ai sectional buiiing wheel, an annular bufiing section of exible material having the inner periphery thereof reinforced, a relatively rigid disc constituting a core for said section for centering and supporting the same, said disc having a peripheral transverse flange over which the said inner periphery is received and a radial oir set flange extending along one side of said section contiguous with said inner periphery.

11. In a sectional builing wheel, an annular buftlng section of flexible material having the inner periphery thereof reinforced, a relatively rigid disc constituting a core for said section for centering and supporting the same, said disc having a peripheral transverse flange over which the said inner periphery is received and aV radial onset serrated ange extending along one Aside of said section contiguous with said inner periphery to provide radial passages.

12. In a buing wheel, an annular bufflng section comprising a longitudinal strip of flexible material folded transversely to provide a series of closely disposed reversed bends, said folded strip being coiled upon itself to form a multi-ply structure, a major portion of said strip extending axially of said section.

i3. A buing Wheel comprising a plurality of annular sections arranged side by side, a rotatable spindle, centering and supporting discs located on saidv spindle, said discs being of less thickness than said sections, each having a peripheral lateral offset continuous flange upon which said sections are mounted and means for clamping said sections and discs upon said spindle for rotation therewith as a unit.

14. In a bufhng Wheel, an annular buiiing section comprising a longitudinal strip of bias fabric disposed in annular form and having flexible paper associated therewith in contacting supporting relationship.

l5. In a buing wheel, an annular bufilng s ection comprising a longitudinal strip of bias fabric disposed in annular form, and a longitudinal strip of paper likewise disposed in annular form and associated with said fabric in contacting supporting relationship.

i6. In a buing wheel, an annular builing section comprising a longitudinal strip of fabric disposed in annular form having outer and inner peripheral edges, the outer peripheral edge of said strip in the section defining a sinuous path whereby line cutting is avoided, the inner peripheral edge of said strip being likewise sinuous and permanently maintained in such a state by sewing and the major portion of the fabric being disposed substantially parallel to the axis of rotation of the section.

17. In a bumng wheel, an annular bumng section comprising a longitudinal strip of fabric disposed in annular form having outer and inner peripheral edges defining sinuous paths produced byradially extending folds, and means binding the section adjacent the inner edge to provide a self-sustained unit and to maintain the curvilinearity of said strip, andthe major portion of the fabric being disposed substantially parallel to the axis of rotation of the section.

18. In a bumng wheel, an annular bufllng section comprising a longitudinal strip of fabric disposed in annular form having outer and inner peripheral edges defining sinuous paths produced by radially extending folds, paper associated with said fabric in contacting supporting relationship, and the major portion of the fabric being disposed substantially parallel to the axis of rotation of the section, and means binding the fabric and paper adjacent the inner edge to provide a self-sustained unit and to maintain the curvilinearity of said strip.

19. In a bufling wheel, anannular bufflng section comprising adjacently disposed strips of fabric and paper in contacting and supporting relationship, the peripheral edges of said fabric and paper strips defining interlocked sinuous paths to dispose axially of the wheel a substantial portion of said strips whereby line cutting of the work is avoided and the major portion of the fabric being disposed substantially parallel to the axis of rotation of the section.

20. In a sectional ventilated buillng wheel, a plurality of buillng sections arranged side by side, disc like members associated with said sections, said members each having a central opening for receiving amounting spindle, peripheral portions of said members being located between adjacent buiflng sections for spacing the same, axially extending openings deiined by said members, radially spaced from said central openings, said bufllng sections being apertured in an area extending radially from the mounting spindle to provide openings axially aligned with said openings in said members whereby an unobstructed axially extending air passage is provided through the interior of the bufllng wheel and spaced from the mounting spindle, the spacing of said sections by said members providing a fradial air passage between adjacent builing sections, said axially extending passage communicating with said radial openings, said bumng sections being apertured in an area extending radially from the mounting spindle to provide openings axially aligned with said openings in said members whereby anunobstructed axially extending air passage is provided through the interior of the builing wheel and spaced from the mounting spindle, said members being of a configuration providing an air passage between adjacent buillng sections communicating with said axially extending passage and said radial air passage whereby air flows into the interior of the wheel and is expelled radially outward between adjacent buillng sections.

22. As a new article of manufacture, a bumng disk comprising a relatively thin center portion provided with a central opening, and a relatively thicker annular portion about said center portion and having an annular zone which is provided with one or more passages leading outwardly from said center portion.

23. In a sectional ventilated bufnng wheel, a plurality of bufng sections arranged side by side and each sectioncomprising an annular portion lof soft builing material and a disc portion extending inwardly from said annular portion of soft buing material a substantial distance, said disc portion being arranged in the same plane as the annular portion and centrally perforated to receive a mounting spindle so as to support and center said annular portion thereon, said disc portion serving to space from each other the opposed faces of said annular portions to permit the passage of air therebetween, and air holes penetrating said sections to admit air in an axial direction, said holes being spaced from the mounting spindle and from the outer periphery of said sections whereby air flows into the interior of the wheel-and is expelled outwardly between the sections.

v ERNEST E. MURRAY. 

